Visual indicating apparatus



1954 F. w. PERL VISUAL INDICATING APPARATUS Filed May 20, 1952 WITNESSES:

INVENTOR FREDERICK W. PE RL ATTORNEY Patented Dot. 5, 1954 E ATENT OFFEQE 6 Claims.

1 This invention relates to visual indicating apparatus for denoting a particular setting in a control mechanism. The invention is especially suited for a timing mechanism where it is desired to provide a visible signal.

An object of the invention is to provide an indicating means which selectively renders con spicuous, indicia which are normally obscure to the observer.

Another object is to provide, in a timer, an indicating means which renders distinguishable to the observer such indicia only as are required to denote a particular setting of the timer, the other indicia being obscure to the observer.

In accordance with the above objects, I provide a plurality of indicia on the surface of a transparent plate or glass crystal covering a background plate or dial, which indicia are painted with material which is preferably of the same hue, value and chroma as the surface of the dial. As well understood in the art, hue is that property which identifies one color from another, value is that. property which distinguishes between relative lightness or darkness of colors, and chroma indicates the degree of color saturation or strength. When viewed against the dial as a background, the indicia are obscure and to all intents and purposes are invisible.

I further provide a flag, painted with material imparting a contrasting visual eiiect with relation to the material on the indicia and dial, which is arranged to be selectively positioned directly behind any one of the indicia on the crystal. The flag serves as a contrasting background for the selected indicium, rendering that indicium conspicuous to the observer and further tending to minimize any distracting influence of the other indicia.

In the embodiment shown, I provide an additional position for the flag, behind the timer bezel. When the flag is positioned behind the bezel, it is hidden from view and does not attract attention to the timer. This feature is especially advantageous when incorporated in an electric timer for a range oven having a separate manual switch, since the hidden position of the flag may be utilized to indicate that the manual switch is connected to the power supply and may be adjusted to manually control the range oven.

Although, as stated above, the dial and the indicia on the crystal are coated with material which is preferably of the same hue, value and chroma, they may, in some instances, be coated with dark materials which are not of the same hue, provided that the materials-are of the samevalue and chroma. For example, dark red indicia on a dark blue background of the identical value and chroma are not readily distinguishable at a distance of several feet.

The above and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a range oven timer having my invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line Il -II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the glass crystal;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view, omitting the structure to the left of line IV-IV of Fig. 2, and showing the setting of the timer after the lapse of a time interval;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but with the glass crystal in place and showing the setting of the timer after the lapse of a further time interval; and

Fig. 6 is a simplified schematic wiring diagram showing the arrangement of the timer in an electrical heating circuit.

Referring to the drawing in detail, especially to Fig. 6, an electric heating unit 2 (generally an oven heating unit) is connected across a power supply L1-L2 through a timer 4 and a manually adjustable thermostatic switch 6.

The timer 4 is of the type having a set of bridging contacts I incorporated therein for automatically controlling the energization ofthe Cooking unit 2 during a predetermined time interval. The bridging contacts 1 are connected in series with a set of bridging contacts 8 provided in the manual switch 6'. Obviously, if either or both sets of contacts are open, the heating unit 2 is deenergized, while if both sets of contacts are closed, the heating unit is energized. It is also to be understood that, in the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 6, the manual switch must be in an on position for either manual or timed control of the heating unit 2.

A. characteristic of the timer 4 is that it operates for only one cycle of automatic operation with each setting and must be reset manually after each cycle of automatic operation. It will be understood, however, that the timing device itself forms no part of the invention and is illustrated merely as typifying a mechanism in which my improved indicating means may be incorporated.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the timer 4 com- 3 prises a casing H! which houses a timing mechanism H, the details of which are not shown.

The timing mechanism H has a main dial [2 rotatably mounted thereon. The dial has a central aperture through which extend a pair of concentric shafts driven by the timing mechanism H for operating an hour hand l4 and a minute hand IS. The dial i2 and the hands [4 and 16 are covered by a glass crystal [8 spaced therefrom by an annular flange 20 formed in a plate member 2|. The flange 26 also serves to define an opening in the plate within which the dial I2 is received. As shown in Fig. 4, the crystal 18 may be retained against the flange 26 by a plurality of bent tabs 22 struck from the plate member. An annular bezel 24, provided with the usual horological indicia 25, serves to frame the crystal l8 and the main dial 12. The horological indicia range from 1 through 12, inclusive, except that the indicia 3 and 9 are omitted. The hour hand l4 and the minute hand It are manually settable by means of a knurled adjustment knob 28 disposed centrally of the crystal [8.

The main dial I2 is provided with an arcuate slot 30 through which a portion of a rotatable under dial 32 is visible to the observer. The under dial is provided with a plurality of numerals 3'4 representing the-cooking time, in hours, during which the oven cooking unit 2 is to be energized. The main dial [2 has a small dart 36 disposed adjacent the arcuate slot 36 and selectively registering with the numerals 34 to denote the particular cooking time interval chosen by the user. Also, substantially diametrically opposite the dart 36, the main dial I2 is provided with a second dart 38. The dart 38 points toward the horological indicia on the bezel 24 and serves to indicate the time of day selected for terminating the cooking time interval.

The main dial l2 and the under dial 32 are rotatably adjustable by means of a manipulating knob 44, located where the horological indicium 3 would normally be placed. The under dial 32 is rotated directly by the knob 44. The main dial [2 has a lost-motion connection with the under dial 32 and thus is rotated by the knob 44 through the under dial after the lost motion has been taken up. Thus, to set the timer for 3 hours of cooking operation to terminate at seven oclock, the knob 44 is first rotated in either direction. At first, the under dial only is rotated until the lost motion is taken up, whereupon the main dial is rotated. Rotation of the knob 44 is continued until the dart 38 is brought into registry with the desired chronological indicia on the bezel to denote the time at which the cooking interval is to be terminated, for example, seven oclock. The knob 44 is then rotated in the opposite direction and is effective to rotate the under dial 32 alone, due to the lost motion, the under dial being thus rotated until the dart 36 points midway between 3 and 4 on the under dial to denote the desired cooking time interval, in this case 3%; hours.

A second knob 46, carried by a rotatable shaft 48, passes through the bezel where the horological indicium 9 would be normally situated. The knob 46 serves to set the timer for the automatic control of the cooking unit, and also to set the timer to provide for manual control of the cooking unit.

Fixed to the shaft 48 is a flag member 52 which is movable with shaft 48 behind the crystal and through a slot 50 provided in the flange 20 of the plate member. The flag 52 is movable in an arcuate path, through the slot 50 to a limiting position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, in which it is hidden from the observer behind the bezel 24. With the flag in this position, the bridging contacts I are in engagement and complete the circuit through the cooking unit 2 whenever the manual switch is rotated to an on position.

The flag 52 cooperates with indicia or legends 58, and 62, which may comprise, respectively, an S representing Set, C representing Cook and a direction indicating arrow indicat ing the direction of rotation of the knob 48 to reset the timer. When the flag is in registry with the S the contacts '1 are open, when the flag is in registry with the C the contacts 1 are closed, and when the flag is in registry with the arrow the contacts are again open. These legends are preferably painted on the under face of the crystal, the paint being of the same hue, value and chroma as the coating on the main dial [2. However, as previously stated, the paint of the legends may be of a different hue than the paint on the dial, provided that the two paints have the same value and chroma. Thus, when the legends S, C and the arrow are viewed by an observer against the background of the dial [2, they are not readily apparent but are obscure and, when viewed from some angles, they are practically invisible to the eye.

The flag 52 is provided, on its face nearest the crystal IS, with a coating of a contrasting paint with respect to the coating of the legends S, C and the arrow. For example, the legends and the dial I2 may be black, while the flag 52 may be white. Or, on the other hand, the dial and the legends may be painted dark red while the flag may be painted light red. Thus, when the flag is positioned behind one of the legends, that particular legend is viewed against the contrasting background of the flag and becomes vividly apparent to the observer, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. This effect further tends to obscure those legends which are not in registry with the flag, and the setting of the timer is readily apparent at a substantial distance therefrom.

Operation To set the timer for an automatically timed operation, the dials I 2 and 32 are adjusted by the knob 44,v in the manner described above, to provide the desired cooking time interval and the desired time of completion of the interval. Also, the knob 46 is rotated to move the flag 52 to the legend S, in which position the contacts 1 are open. At 3:30 p. m., the shaft 48 is rotated by the timing mechanism II in clockwise direction and the contacts I are closed. The flag 52 is simultaneously moved into registry with the legend C to denote that the cooking interval is initiated. During the cooking interval, from 3:30 to 7:00 p. m. the flag will remain stationary in back of the legend C, rendering that legend visible to the observer, the other legends being obscured. At the end of the cooking interval, namely, 7 :00 p. m., the timing mechanism I I will open the contact 7 and will simultaneously move the flag 52 to a position in back of the arrow. This position denotes that the automatic operation is completed and also denotes that the timer must be reset in the direction of the arrow legend before another cycle of operation, whether manual or automatic, may be performed. To set the timer for another cycle of automatic operation, the knob 46 is manually rotated counterclockwise until the flag 52 is again in back of the leg end S.

When it is desired to close the time contacts 1 in order to permit manual control of the cooking unit by the switch 6, the knob 36 is rotated further counterclockwise to the dotted line or manual position shown in Fig. 5. In this position, the contacts l are continuously closed and the flag 52 is disposed behind the bezel 24, out of sight of the observer. Also, with the time thus set for manual operation of the heating unit, the legends S, C and the arrow are not apparent to the observer.

Various color combinations may be utilized to provide the optical effect described; for example, flag 52 may be painted with any lightcolored paint while the dial l2 and the legends S, C and the arrow may be painted in any dark-colored paint or, on the other hand, the dial and legends may be painted in light-colored paint and the flag 52 may be painted in darkcolored paint. Also, if desired, the narrow elongated portion of the flag may be painted with material of the same hue, value and chroma as the dial l2, to render it inconspicuous against the background of the dial.

ihis invention is highly advantageous when utilized in conjunction with a range oven timer. Heretofore, due to the manner in which this timer is set, the setting has been often over- Since, as previously mentioned, the timer must be reset after each cycle of automatic operation, failure to note the position of the knob and to reset it, often meant that the user inadvertently failed to initiate an automatic or a manual cooking cycle and would not learn of the omission until hours later. The omission was especially common when the user intended to operate the cooking unit manually. Since his main thought was to set the manual switch 6 to control the cooking unit, he often failed to note that the timer was not set to permit manual operation of the cooking unit. With the invention described, when the flag is exposed to view, it attracts the attention of the user to the timer and to the need for setting the timer before manual operation of the cooking unit may be accom plished. On the other hand, when the flag is not exposed but is hidden behind th bezel, the legends S, C and the arrow are obscured.

Whenever automatic operation of the cooking unit is desired, the need for setting the timer will quickly register in the thoughts of the user and will bring to his attention whether or not the knob it should be set. Also, should the timer be set for manual operation and the user desires to automatically time-control the cooking unit, the absence of the flag will indicate that the knob 36 must be set before the automatic time cycle can be initiated.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. Indicating mechanism comprising a dial, an indicium disposed in opposed spaced relation to said dial, a member for supporting said indicium, a flag member disposed intermediate said dial and said indicium and adapted to be positioned in and out of registry with the latter and means mounting the flag for movement relative the dial and indicium; said dial and said indicium being of the same value and chroma in 6 order that said indicium is obscure when viewed against said dial as a background, said flag member having a surface providing a contrasting VlS- ual effect with relation to said indicium and said dial in order that said indicium is rendered conspicuous when said flag member is in registry therewith.

2. An indicating device comprising a dial member, a transparent viewing member disposed in covering relation with said dial, an opaque indicium disposed on said transparent member, said indicium being of the same value and chroma as said dial and thereby being obscure when viewed in a direction towards said dial, a flag and means for moving the flag between and relative to said dial and said transparent member to positions in and out of registry with said indicium, said flag having a surface providing a contrasting visual effect with relation to said indicium and said dial, whereby said indicium is rendered conspicuous when said flag is disposed in registry therewith.

3. The structure recited in claim 2 including a bezel for retaining said viewing member and wherein said flag moving means is effective to move the flag to a concealed position behind said bezel.

4. Timing apparatus comprising a timing mechanism, a dial mounted on said timing mechanism and having an aperture in an inner portion thereof, a shaft driven by the timing mechanism and extending through said aperture, a hand carried by the shaft, a transparent member disposed in front of said dial in spaced relation therewith, a bezel disposed adjacent said transparent member, said transparent member having an opaque indicium provided thereon, said indicium being of the same value and chroma as said dial and being thereby rendered obscure to the observer when viewed in a direction facing said dial, means comprising an adjusting shaft spaced outwardly from the first-named shaft for setting said timing mechanism, and a flag movable by said adjusting shaft between the dial and indicium and relative the dial, said flag being actuated into and out of registry with said indicium, said flag having a surface providing a contrasting visual effect with relation to said indicium and said dial, whereby when said flag is in registry with said indicium, said indicium is rendered conspicuous to the observer, said flag being further movable to a position behind said bezel in which position said flag is hidden from the observer.

5. Timing apparatus comprising a timing mechanism adjustable to an automatic time control setting and a manual control setting, a dial mounted on said timing mechanism, a transparent member disposed in front of said dial in spaced relation therewith, a bezel disposed adjacent said transparent member, said transparent member having an opaque indicium provided thereon, said indicium being of the same value and chroma as said dial and being thereby rendered obscure to the observer when viewed against said dial as a background, means including a shaft for selectively adjusting said timing mechanism to said manual or automatic control settings, and a flag operable by said shaft for movement relative the dial and between the indicium and the dial, said flag being selectively movable into and out of registry with said indicium in response, respectively, to adjustment of the shaft to its automatic and manual control settings, said flag having a surface providing a contrasting visual eiTect with relation to said indicium and said dial, whereby when said flag is in registry with said indicium the latter is rendered conspicuous to the observer, said flag, when moved out of registry with the indicium to the manual control setting, being disposed behind said bezel in a position hidden from the observer.

6. In an indicating mechanism, the combination of a background plate, a transparent plate spaced forwardly of the background plate, an indicium carried by the transparent plate, a flag member and means supporting the flag member for movement between and relative to said transparent plate and the background plate; said background plate and indicium being of substantially the same value and chroma in order that the indicium is obscure when viewed against the background plate, said flag having a surface providing a contrasting visual effect with relation to said indicium and background plate in order to render the indicium conspicuous when the flag is moved to a position in registry with the indicium.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Date 

